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Personnel
Mission and Responsibilities
The Office of the Chief Technologist located in the Office of the Administrator, advises the Administrator and other senior officials on matters relating to technology, assures an agency-wide investment strategy for advanced innovative technology and is the principal Agency advocate for advanced technology. The OCT leads the development of agency-wide technology goals and objectives, and reviews Agency technology policies, programs, processes and capabilities to ensure that NASA technology programs support the Agency’s science, exploration and commercial objectives. The OCT also addresses common technology requirements across multiple enterprises and external commercial interests. The OCT Implementation Plan describes the duties and responsibilities of this office in more detail. Activities The establishment of the Office of the Chief Technologist is part of a sweeping change within NASA to strengthen and revitalize the NASA advanced technology program. These changes include a technology paradigm shift that redefines and strengthens the partnership between technology programs and NASA missions. The NASA investment strategy describes the NASA approach to technology investment and acquisition of systems and services, including investments in strategic technologies to enable future missions and also investments with industry in commercial space sectors. The NASA Technology Plan describes the Agency's technology investments and plans. It includes an overview of the technology structure within NASA, identification of technology needs, description of strategic technology areas, and the technology programs supported by the NASA Enterprises. The NASA Technology Inventory is a database of NASA's current investments in technology development. The inventory includes descriptions of technology tasks and the linkage between the tasks and NASA Enterprise strategic goals. The inventory is web-based and will support keyword searches. The FY 1998 database is available only to NASA employees for government use. A public version of the inventory is planned for the near future and will be accessible through this site. The NASA Institute for Advanced Aerospace Concepts has been established to provide an independent, open forum for the analysis and definition of space and aeronautics advanced concepts. It will focus on revolutionary concepts, in particular systems and architectures that can have a major impact on the future missions of the NASA enterprises. The institute will select and foster the development of advanced concepts from non-NASA entities through competitively awarded contracts. The Institute will be operated through the Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD and will be directed by Dr. Robert Cassanova.
The Technology & Commercialization Advisory Committee (TCAC) has been established to advise NASA on technology and commercialization issues facing the Agency. The TCAC membership is drawn from industry, universities and other government organizations. A meeting calendar and minutes of past meetings are available. The TCAC is a standing committee of the NASA Advisory Council. The Technology Leadership Council is chaired by the Chief Technologist and includes senior NASA officials from Headquarters and the NASA Field Centers. The Virtual Research Center is a web site that has been established to support NASA technology and advanced concept activities. Portions of this site are available for public access.
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